Nera snapped, “He’s being nice and not pointing out how little good you’d be on horseback during a fight. I’ve told you you’d need to stay put.”
Draylon winced in sympathy for Rufe. At least he’d be in good hands here. “Quite frankly, your Delletinian leaves much to be desired, and I’m hoping you’ll gain a better grasp of the language.” And possibly King Niam.
“I have no objections,” Niam replied, offering Rufe some appraising side-eye.
“Nor do I.” Nera gave a fond smile, likely just as eager to play matchmaker, though for different reasons. She wanted to see her son happy.
So like Mother, who’d orchestrated many advantageous matches in her day.
As well as dalliances.
“My place is with you!” Rufe protested.
While Draylon had always valued Rufe’s opinions, he must be firm in this. “Your place is where I need you to be.”
“But you need me!”
Draylon crossed the room, kneeled by Rufe’s chair, and spoke in low tones for Rufe’s ears only. “Rufe, yes, I need you by my side, but in your current condition, you’d slow us down through the mountain pass. Father has threatened you more than once to keep me in line. Please, you’ll be more useful to me here.”
He wanted Rufe to be happy and was concerned about his injuries. Still, he was also strategic enough to recognize the advantages of a connection between Rufe and Niam. When Rufe had mentioned, “I’m only a bastard,”Niam had laughed and said,“My dear, half of the crowned heads of the empire are bastards. Do you really think the king of Herix’s strapping son looks anything like his shriveled prune of a father? The captain of his father’s guard, maybe.”
Niam did have a point. Not to mention Nera's family situation. The affection in Niam's eyes when he’d said those words meant far more than the words themselves. Rufe would benefit from such acceptance.
If he didn’t let his ego get in the way.
Draylon looked away from the tears forming in Rufe’s eyes. “We’ll be together again soon, I promise. Heal your leg. Go to the capital with Niam. Learn all you can that will help us form treaties.”
Rufe clung to Draylon’s hand. “If anything happens to you that I could have prevented, I’ll bring you back from the dead and kill you myself.”
Draylon cracked a smile that he didn’t truly feel. “I would expect nothing less.”
“I wouldn’t mind brushing up on my Cormiran,” Nera said. “And Bert could definitely use some tutoring in the language.” How kind of her to take the focus off Draylon and Rufe.
“Mother, Bert scarcely knows Delletinian some days,” Niam said with a smirk.
Also, Bert might not be part of the household much longer.
“I know.” Nera sighed. “What is it with young people, always coming up with their own words and phrases that don’t mean what they seem to mean?”
Niam had the mules brought around after breakfast, the extra ones carrying supplies and anything Draylon and Yarif might need for their return. “Six of my men will accompany you as far as the border.” He gave Draylon a soldier’s salute, then grasped Yarif’s shoulders, pulling him in until their foreheads touched. “You, dear cousin, go with the Goddess of Travelers and the Goddess of Long-Lost Kin. It is my fondest wish to see you again soon.”
The cousins hugged while Draylon said goodbye to Rufe, whose eyes filled with concern. “I should be at your side,” Rufe protested once more.
“No.” Draylon hoped his smile took any sting from the word. “Your place is where I tell you to be. And am I mistaken that your intentions toward King Niam aren’t all honorable?”
Rufe glanced at Nera, who mock glared. “Very honorable,” Rufe said with exaggerated fear.
Nera laughed, then came forward to hug Draylon. “We could never be enemies. I hope to soon see you again over negotiations.” She didn’t clarify whether she meant negotiations for joining the empire or a marriage contract. Still, she also didn’t seem to mind the parentage some nobles disdained. As Niam mentioned, though, half of them were likely bastards too.
And Nera’s parentage situation probably wasn’t unique.
When she hugged Draylon again, Nera threatened, “Treat my nephew well, or you’ll answer to me, and I know a thousand herbs that can kill a man before he hits the ground.”
Based on her stoic expression, Draylon couldn’t tell whether or not Nera jested. He’d lean to the side of caution. “Far be it from me for you to undo all the hard work of making me well.”
Nera grinned. “Just so we understand each other.”
Draylon swung into the saddle while Yarif got in a few last hugs.
